It's Knights vs. Knights

UCF: St. Petersburg Bowl

The UCF Knights (8-4) will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-4) in the game, bowl officials announced Sunday.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 19, at Tropicana Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Both teams are known for their strong fan bases that travel well to bowl games.

It should make the St. Petersburg Bowl a hot ticket.

Tropicana Field has a relatively small capacity for football games, with 33,000 seats available for the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl last year.

"UCF and Rutgers makes for an excellent match-up in this year's St. Petersburg Bowl," UCF Athletics Director Keith Tribble said in a statement released by the school. "We anticipate a record showing from our fan base making the short drive to St. Petersburg.

"I know our fans plan to create a similar home-field atmosphere to the one we regularly enjoy at Bright House Networks Stadium."

Rutgers is coming off a 24-21 home loss to No. 18 West Virginia (9-3) Saturday, one of many college football nail-biters during the final weekend of the college football regular season.

The Scarlet Knights also dropped games to No. 4 Cincinnati (12-0) and No. 17 Pittsburgh (9-3) at Rutgers Stadium and one contest at struggling Syracuse.

The Knights' biggest win this season was over the Cougars, who were ranked No. 13 when the teams played Nov. 14.

"We are pleased to be playing a team from the Big East Conference, so close to our fan base in St. Petersburg," UCF coach George O'Leary said in a statement released by the school. "It should be a great game for our fans to enjoy next Saturday night."

Both teams have relied on their defenses to lead the way this season.

Rutgers ranks No. 99 nationally in total offense with 322 yards per game, while UCF ranks No. 84 with 348 yards per game.